Rice University student killed in dorm room on first day of classes

A Rice University student in Texas was shot and killed Monday by a man with whom authorities said she was having a “romantic relationship.”

University police responded to a welfare check around 4:30 p.m. local time and found the student, identified as Andrea Rodriguez Avila, dead in her room. Police also discovered an “unidentified male with a self-inflicted gunshot wound, who was not a member of the Rice community,” school President Reginald DesRoches told media.

Rice Police Chief Clemente Rodriguez confirmed that police found a note “written by the suspect” at the scene, leading them to believe the man shot Avila.

“Overall, it was very much about their relationship, and it was obvious they had a difficult relationship at that point,” he said of the note, adding that officials believed it was a “romantic relationship.”

DesRoches said “the Rice campus is safe and there is no immediate threat” to the community.

“And tonight, we’re going to hug our students,” he added.